The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-02-19
Special Contributors.
F OR EIGN MISSIONS.
BY REV. II. W. RUGG.
providence, R. H.

lETONlueIcc, H. III
Evidently there is in our Universal
list communion growing feeling of
responsibility and duty with reference
to foreign missions. The last few years
have witnessed notable growth of SEN
timent in this direction. The Univer-
salist pulpit and press have discussed
the question of our undertaking broad
er work than that heretofore engaged
in; conventions and conferences have
considered the matter of missionary
work in its various phases, and some
steps have been taken not likely to be
retraced. An interest has been awak-
ened, which, if rightly fostered and di-
rected, bids fair to result, at an early
date, in practical movement on the
part of the Universalist church to carry
the gospel to heather lands.
AS showing what has been already
attempted in the way of shaping such
a movement, and as indicating the posi-
tion now held by the Universalist
church in respect to foreign mission
ary work, the following facts may be
cited. In 1882 the trustees of the Uai-
versalist General Convention, in their
annual report made at Philadelphia,
said: ''The time has come for our
church to look toward the establish
ment of missions in heather lands. y
This proposition they supportsd lJ .
brief but earnest argument, following
which came their recommendation that
funds should be gathered to prosecute
such a work. The committee on off,
cial reports gave specific endorsement
to the recommendation Of the trustees,
and the Convention approved both re-
ports. In their report a year later the
trustees again called attention to the
subject, and the preacher of the
occasional sermon of that year, 1888,
declared that the time had come when
the Universalist church ought to send
missionaries to foreign lands, and
contribute direct help toward lift
ing the darkness and superstition that
rest upon heather communities The
committee on official reports that year
commended the form and movement
proposed, and expressed hope that
our people might be melted to prompt
and liberal giving for the speedy under
taking of the desired work.
The Massachusetts Convention, in
1882 and 'S3, put itself upon record
as favoring foreign missions. At the
session of 's3 it adopted the report of
a committee who said that, "The sub
ject of foreign missions is of such pro-
phetic significance that we await the
time with impatience, which shall find
our church ready for response to its
call to a worldwide mission" The
Rhode Island Convention has given ex-
preston of like feeling. At the ses-
sion held in June, 'S6, this body took
advanced ground. 1t not only signi-
fed its approval of foreign missions,
but it authorized the raising of money
in the name of the Convention for such
a purpose, and memoralized the Gen
eral Convention, asking the appoint
ment of a special Committee to con-
slider the whole subject, with respect
alike to its advisability, methods, and
the fields most favorable to the enter
prise" Such Committee was appoint
ed by the General Convention at its ses-
sion in Akron last October.
The references made would seem to
indicate the growing sentiment of our
church with reference to foreign mis-
sionary work. Other evidence, less for
NAL but not the less significant, comes
to the writer of this article from va
riety of sources, showing that there is
an increasing disposition in our COM
munion to respond to the call for more
extended service in the way Of helping
to evangelize the world. The situation
seems hopeful, and there seems to be
good reasons for anticipating forward
missionary movement on the part of
the Universalist church at an early
date.
That there are difficulties in the way
will not be questioned. Many worthy
brethren are eonstitutionally timid and
extremely cautious about engaging in
any new work and there are some, both
within and without our own church
lines, who regard the scheme of Univer-